Massively Multiplexed RNA Sequencing

ABSTRACT

A method for parallel sequencing target RNA from samples from multiple sources while maintaining source identification is provided. The method includes providing samples of RNA comprising target RNA from two or more sources; labeling, at the 3′ end, the RNA from the two or more sources with a first nucleic acid adaptor that comprises a nucleic acid sequence that differentiates between the RNA from the two or more sources; reverse transcribing the two or more sources to create a single stranded DNA comprising the nucleic acid sequence that differentiates between the RNA from the two or more sources; amplifying the single stranded DNA to create DNA amplification products that comprise the nucleic acid sequence that differentiates between the RNA from the two or more sources; sequencing the DNA amplification products thereby parallel sequencing target RNA from samples from multiple sources while maintaining source identification.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of the earlier filing dateof U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/786,103 filed Mar. 14, 2013,which is specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

This invention was made with government support under grant number1DP50D012190-01 awarded by the National Institutes of Health and grantnumber 1P50HG006193-01 awarded by National Human Genome ResearchInstitute, National Institutes of Health. The government has certainrights in the invention.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to RNA sequencing and specifically to multiplexRNA sequencing and enhanced methods of the same.

BACKGROUND

Next-generation sequencing is rapidly becoming the method of choice forthe analysis of RNA, such as for transcriptional profiling. In contrastto microarray technology, sequencing allows identification of noveltranscripts and does not require preexisting knowledge of the sequenceof the genome. In addition, unlike hybridization-based detection, thesequencing of RNA allows genome-wide analysis of transcription at singlenucleotide resolution.

Despite progress, sequencing of specific strands of RNA remainscumbersome and expensive. What is needed is an inexpensive method ofsequencing large numbers of RNA simultaneously in solution. The methodmust be rapid and easy to perform. Methods of simultaneously sequencinglarge numbers of RNA molecules would provide chemical screens of cellcultures to identify drugs of interest, tissue, blood and otherbiological sample bank screening. These methods further would allowscreening of RNA from tissue in paraffin-blocks. These methods wouldalso provide antibiotic screening to determine drug resistance inmicroorganisms. This disclosure meets that need.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A universal method is disclosed for the sequencing preparation of allclasses of RNA. The method allows for sequencing for dozens to more thanthousands of samples simultaneously. Thus, disclosed is a method forparallel sequencing target RNA from samples from multiple sources whilemaintaining source identification. The disclosed method includesproviding samples of RNA comprising target RNA from two or more sourcesand labeling, at the 3′ end, the RNA from the two or more sources with afirst nucleic acid adaptor that includes a nucleic acid sequence thatdifferentiates between the RNA from the two or more sources. The 3′ endlabeled RNA is reverse transcribed to create a single stranded DNAcomprising the nucleic acid sequence that differentiates between the RNAfrom the two or more sources. The resultant DNA is amplified to createDNA amplification products that comprise the nucleic acid sequence thatdifferentiates between the RNA from the two or more sources. Finallysequencing the DNA amplification products identifies, in parallel,target RNA from samples from multiple sources while maintaining sourceidentification. In some embodiments of the disclosed method, the 3′labeled RNA is pooled. Also disclosed are kits for carrying out thedisclosed method.

The advantages of the disclosed method over current protocols includes,but is not limited to, a strand-specific sequencing of all classes ofRNA from any species including eukaryotes and prokaryotes includingtotal RNA, antibody-selected RNA, 5′DGE and 3′DGE selected fragments,polyA-selected RNA, cross-linked RNA fragments from human, bacteria, andfungi. The disclosed method also allows for sequencing of dozens toseveral thousands of independent RNA samples simultaneously. Thedisclosed inventions are very low cost and low time per sample comparedto commercial kits. The full protocol can take as little asapproximately 6 hours.

The foregoing and other features of this disclosure will become moreapparent from the following detailed description of several embodiments,which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic of an exemplary method of RNA sequencing asdisclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of 3′ ligation of a sequence tag (barcode) to anRNA.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of the pooling of differently tagged (barcoded)RNA for subsequent processing

FIG. 4 is a schematic first strand ssDNA synthesis.

FIG. 5 is a schematic a second adapter ligation (ssDNA/ssDNA) by 3′linker ligation.

FIG. 6 is a schematic showing amplification of ssDNA encodinginformation about the origin of the target RNA.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEQUENCES

The nucleic and amino acid sequences are shown using standard letterabbreviations for nucleotide bases, and three letter code for aminoacids, as defined in 37 C.F.R. 1.822. If only one strand of each nucleicacid sequence is shown, the complementary strand is understood asincluded by any reference to the displayed strand. All sequence databaseaccession numbers referenced herein are understood to refer to theversion of the sequence identified by that accession number as it wasavailable on the designated date.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS I. Summary of Terms

Unless otherwise noted, technical terms are used according toconventional usage. Definitions of common terms in molecular biology maybe found in Benjamin Lewin, Genes IX, published by Jones and Bartlet,2008 (ISBN 0763752223); Kendrew et al. (eds.), The Encyclopedia ofMolecular Biology, published by Blackwell Science Ltd., 1994 (ISBN0632021829); and Robert A. Meyers (ed.), Molecular Biology andBiotechnology: a Comprehensive Desk Reference, published by VCHPublishers, Inc., 1995 (ISBN 9780471185710).

The singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unlesscontext clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the word “or” isintended to include “and” unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The term “comprises” means “includes.” In case of conflict,the present specification, including explanations of terms, willcontrol.

To facilitate review of the various embodiments of this disclosure, thefollowing explanations of specific terms are provided:

Amplification: To increase the number of copies of a nucleic acidmolecule, such as a DNA according the disclosed methods. The resultingamplification products are called “amplicons.” Amplification of anucleic acid molecule refers to use of a technique that increases thenumber of copies of a nucleic acid molecule (including fragments).

An example of amplification is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), inwhich a sample is contacted with a pair of oligonucleotide primers underconditions that allow for the hybridization of the primers to a nucleicacid template in the sample. The primers are extended under suitableconditions, dissociated from the template, re-annealed, extended, anddissociated to amplify the number of copies of the nucleic acid. Thiscycle can be repeated. The product of amplification can be characterizedby such techniques as electrophoresis, restriction endonuclease cleavagepatterns, oligonucleotide hybridization or ligation, and/or nucleic acidsequencing.

Other examples of in vitro amplification techniques include quantitativereal-time PCR; reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR); real-time PCR (rtPCR); real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (rt RT-PCR); nested PCR;strand displacement amplification (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,744,311);transcription-free isothermal amplification (see U.S. Pat. No.6,033,881, repair chain reaction amplification (see WO 90/01069); ligasechain reaction amplification (see European patent publication EP-A-320308); gap filling ligase chain reaction amplification (see U.S. Pat. No.5,427,930); coupled ligase detection and PCR (see U.S. Pat. No.6,027,889); and NASBA™ RNA transcription-free amplification (see U.S.Pat. No. 6,025,134) amongst others.

Binding or stable binding (of an oligonucleotide): An oligonucleotide,such as a probe or primer binds or stably binds to a target nucleicacid, such as a nucleic acid with a PCR primer tag, if a sufficientamount of the oligonucleotide forms base pairs or is hybridized to itstarget nucleic acid. Binding can be detected by either physical orfunctional properties.

Binding site: A region on a protein, DNA, or RNA to which othermolecules stably bind.

Capture moieties: Molecules or other substances that when attached to anucleic acid molecule, such as a DNA molecule, allow for the capture ofthe nucleic acid molecule through interactions of the capture moiety andsomething that the capture moiety binds to, such as a particular surfaceand/or molecule, such as a specific binding molecule that is capable ofspecifically binding to the capture moiety. In some examples, a capturemoiety is a biotin, which can be captured by avidin and or streptavidin.In some embodiments, the capture moiety, such as biotin, is attached tonucleic acid sequence that is used to remove non-target RNA from asample, such as rRNA.

Contacting: Placement in direct physical association, including both insolid or liquid form.

Control: A reference standard. A control can be a known value or rangeof values indicative of basal levels or amounts or present in a tissueor a cell or populations thereof. A control can also be a cellular ortissue control, for example a tissue from a non-diseased state and/orexposed to different environmental conditions. A difference between atest sample and a control can be an increase or conversely a decrease.The difference can be a qualitative difference or a quantitativedifference, for example a statistically significant difference.

Covalently linked: Refers to a covalent linkage between atoms by theformation of a covalent bond characterized by the sharing of pairs ofelectrons between atoms. In one example, a covalent link is a bondbetween an oxygen atom and a phosphorous atom, such as phosphodiesterbonds in the backbone of a nucleic acid strand.

Complementary: A double-stranded DNA or RNA strand consists of twocomplementary strands of base pairs. Complementary binding occurs whenthe base of one nucleic acid molecule forms a hydrogen bond to the baseof another nucleic acid molecule. Normally, the base adenine (A) iscomplementary to thymidine (T) and uracil (U), while cytosine (C) iscomplementary to guanine (G). For example, the sequence 5′-ATCG-3′ ofone ssDNA molecule can bond to 3′-TAGC-5′ of another ssDNA to form adsDNA. In this example, the sequence 5′-ATCG-3′ is the reversecomplement of 3′-TAGC-5′.

Nucleic acid molecules can be complementary to each other even withoutcomplete hydrogen-bonding of all bases of each molecule. For example,hybridization with a complementary nucleic acid sequence can occur underconditions of differing stringency in which a complement will bind atsome but not all nucleotide positions.

Detect: To determine if an agent (such as a signal or particular nucleicacid, such as a RNA) is present or absent. In some examples, this canfurther include quantification in a sample, or a fraction of a sample,such as a particular cell or cells within a tissue.

Detectable label: A compound or composition that is conjugated directlyor indirectly to another molecule to facilitate detection of thatmolecule. Specific, non-limiting examples of labels include fluorescenttags, enzymatic linkages, and radioactive isotopes. In some examples, alabel is attached to an antibody or nucleic acid to facilitate detectionof the molecule the antibody or nucleic acid specifically binds.

DNA sequencing: The process of determining the nucleotide order of agiven DNA molecule. Generally, the sequencing can be performed usingautomated Sanger sequencing (AB13730×1 genome analyzer), pyrosequencingon a solid support (454 sequencing, Roche), sequencing-by-synthesis withreversible terminations (ILLUMINA® Genome Analyzer),sequencing-by-ligation (ABI SOLiD®) or sequencing-by-synthesis withvirtual terminators (HELISCOPE®).

In some embodiments, DNA sequencing is performed using a chaintermination method developed by Frederick Sanger, and thus termed“Sanger based sequencing” or “SBS.” This technique usessequence-specific termination of a DNA synthesis reaction using modifiednucleotide substrates. Extension is initiated at a specific site on thetemplate DNA by using a short oligonucleotide primer complementary tothe template at that region. The oligonucleotide primer is extendedusing DNA polymerase in the presence of the four deoxynucleotide bases(DNA building blocks), along with a low concentration of a chainterminating nucleotide (most commonly a di-deoxynucleotide). Limitedincorporation of the chain terminating nucleotide by the DNA polymeraseresults in a series of related DNA fragments that are terminated only atpositions where that particular nucleotide is present. The fragments arethen size-separated by electrophoresis a polyacrylamide gel, or in anarrow glass tube (capillary) filled with a viscous polymer. Analternative to using a labeled primer is to use labeled terminatorsinstead; this method is commonly called “dye terminator sequencing.”

“Pyrosequencing” is an array-based method, which has been commercializedby 454 Life Sciences. In some embodiments of the array-based methods,single-stranded DNA is annealed to beads and amplified via EmPCR®. TheseDNA-bound beads are then placed into wells on a fiber-optic chip alongwith enzymes that produce light in the presence of ATP. When freenucleotides are washed over this chip, light is produced as the PCRamplification occurs and ATP is generated when nucleotides join withtheir complementary base pairs. Addition of one (or more) nucleotide(s)results in a reaction that generates a light signal that is recorded,such as by the charge coupled device (CCD) camera, within theinstrument. The signal strength is proportional to the number ofnucleotides, for example, homopolymer stretches, incorporated in asingle nucleotide flow.

High throughput technique: Through a combination of robotics, dataprocessing and control software, liquid handling devices, and detectors,high throughput techniques allows the rapid screening of potentialreagents, conditions, or targets in a short period of time, for examplein less than 24, less than 12, less than 6 hours, or even less than 1hour.

Hybridization: Oligonucleotides and their analogs hybridize by hydrogenbonding, which includes Watson-Crick, Hoogsteen or reversed Hoogsteenhydrogen bonding, between complementary bases. Generally, nucleic acidconsists of nitrogenous bases that are either pyrimidines (cytosine (C),uracil (U), and thymine (T)) or purines (adenine (A) and guanine (G)).These nitrogenous bases form hydrogen bonds between a pyrimidine and apurine, and the bonding of the pyrimidine to the purine is referred toas “base pairing.” More specifically, A will hydrogen bond to T or U,and G will bond to C. “Complementary” refers to the base pairing thatoccurs between two distinct nucleic acid sequences or two distinctregions of the same nucleic acid sequence.

“Specifically hybridizable” and “specifically complementary” are termsthat indicate a sufficient degree of complementarity such that stableand specific binding occurs between the oligonucleotide (or its analog)and the DNA, RNA, and or DNA-RNA hybrid target. The oligonucleotide oroligonucleotide analog need not be 100% complementary to its targetsequence to be specifically hybridizable. An oligonucleotide or analogis specifically hybridizable when there is a sufficient degree ofcomplementarity to avoid non-specific binding of the oligonucleotide oranalog to non-target sequences under conditions where specific bindingis desired. Such binding is referred to as specific hybridization.

Isolated: An “isolated” biological component (such as a protein, anucleic RNA, for example target RNA) has been substantially separated orpurified away from other biological components in the cell of theorganism in which the component naturally occurs, for example,extra-chromatin DNA and RNA, proteins and organelles. Nucleic acids andproteins that have been “isolated” include nucleic acids and proteinspurified by standard purification methods. The term also embracesnucleic acids and proteins prepared by recombinant expression in a hostcell as well as chemically synthesized nucleic acids. It is understoodthat the term “isolated” does not imply that the biological component isfree of trace contamination, and can include nucleic acid molecules thatare at least 50% isolated, such as at least 75%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 98%,99%, or even 100% isolated.

Nucleic acid (molecule or sequence): A deoxyribonucleotide,ribonucleotide or deoxyribonucleotide-ribonucleotide polymer includingwithout limitation, cDNA, mRNA, genomic DNA, and synthetic (such aschemically synthesized) DNA or RNA or hybrids thereof. The nucleic acidcan be double-stranded (ds) or single-stranded (ss). Wheresingle-stranded, the nucleic acid can be the sense strand or theantisense strand. Nucleic acids can include natural nucleotides (such asA, T/U, C, and G), and can also include analogs of natural nucleotides,such as labeled nucleotides.

The major nucleotides of DNA are deoxyadenosine 5′-triphosphate (dATP orA), deoxyguanosine 5 ′-triphosphate (dGTP or G), deoxycytidine5′-triphosphate (dCTP or C) and deoxythymidine 5 ′-triphosphate (dTTP orT). The major nucleotides of RNA are adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP orA), guanosine 5′-triphosphate (GTP or G), cytidine 5′-triphosphate (CTPor C) and uridine 5′-triphosphate (UTP or U). Nucleotides include thosenucleotides containing modified bases, modified sugar moieties, andmodified phosphate backbones, for example as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,866,336 to Nazarenko et al.

Examples of modified base moieties which can be used to modifynucleotides at any position on its structure include, but are notlimited to: 5-fluorouracil, 5-bromouracil, 5-chlorouracil, 5-iodouracil,hypoxanthine, xanthine, acetylcytosine, 5-(carboxyhydroxylmethyl)uracil, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine,5-carboxymethylaminomethyluracil, dihydrouracil,beta-D-galactosylqueosine, inosine, N-6-sopentenyladenine,1-methylguanine, 1-methylinosine, 2,2-dimethylguanine, 2-methyladenine,2-methylguanine, 3-methylcytosine, 5-methyl cytosine, N6-adenine,7-methylguanine, 5-methylaminomethyluracil,methoxyaminomethyl-2-thiouracil, beta-D-mannosylqueosine,5′-methoxycarboxymethyluracil, 5-methoxyuracil,2-methylthio-N6-isopentenyladenine, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid,pseudouracil, queosine, 2-thiocytosine, 5-methyl-2-thiouracil,2-thiouracil, 4-thiouracil, 5-methyluracil, uracil-5-oxyacetic acidmethylester, uracil-S-oxyacetic acid, 5-methyl-2-thiouracil,3-(3-amino-3-N-2-carboxypropyl) uracil, 2,6-diaminopurine andbiotinylated analogs, amongst others.

Examples of modified sugar moieties which may be used to modifynucleotides at any position on its structure include, but are notlimited to arabinose, 2-fluoroarabinose, xylose, and hexose, or amodified component of the phosphate backbone, such as phosphorothioate,a phosphorodithioate, a phosphoramidothioate, a phosphoramidate, aphosphordiamidate, a methylphosphonate, an alkyl phosphotriester, or aformacetal or analog thereof

Primers: Short nucleic acid molecules, such as a DNA oligonucleotide,which can be annealed to a complementary target nucleic acid molecule bynucleic acid hybridization to form a hybrid between the primer and thetarget nucleic acid strand. A primer can be extended along the targetnucleic acid molecule by a polymerase enzyme. Therefore, primers can beused to amplify a target nucleic acid molecule, wherein the sequence ofthe primer is specific for the target nucleic acid molecule, for exampleso that the primer will hybridize to the target nucleic acid moleculeunder very high stringency hybridization conditions.

The specificity of a primer increases with its length. Thus, forexample, a primer that includes 30 consecutive nucleotides will annealto a target sequence with a higher specificity than a correspondingprimer of only 15 nucleotides. Thus, to obtain greater specificity,probes and primers can be selected that include at least 5, 10, 15, 20,25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more consecutive nucleotides.

In particular examples, a primer is at least 15 nucleotides in length,such as at least 5 contiguous nucleotides complementary to a targetnucleic acid molecule. Particular lengths of primers that can be used topractice the methods of the present disclosure include primers having atleast 5, at least 10, at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least18, at least 19, at least 20, at least 21, at least 22, at least 23, atleast 24, at least 25, at least 26, at least 27, at least 28, at least29, at least 30, at least 31, at least 32, at least 33, at least 34, atleast 35, at least 36, at least 37, at least 38, at least 39, at least40, at least 45, at least 50, or more contiguous nucleotidescomplementary to the target nucleic acid molecule to be amplified, suchas a primer of 5-60 nucleotides, 15-50 nucleotides, 15-30 nucleotides orgreater.

Primer pairs can be used for amplification of a nucleic acid sequence,for example, by PCR, or other nucleic-acid amplification methods knownin the art. An “upstream” or “forward” primer is a primer 5′ to areference point on a nucleic acid sequence. A “downstream” or “reverse”primer is a primer 3′ to a reference point on a nucleic acid sequence.In general, at least one forward and one reverse primer are included inan amplification reaction. PCR primer pairs can be derived from a knownsequence, for example, by using computer programs intended for thatpurpose such as Primer (Version 0.5, © 1991, Whitehead Institute forBiomedical Research, Cambridge, Mass.).

Methods for preparing and using primers are described in, for example,Sambrook et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, ColdSpring Harbor, N.Y.; Ausubel et al. (1987) Current Protocols inMolecular Biology, Greene Publ. Assoc. & Wiley-Intersciences.

Probe: A probe comprises an isolated nucleic acid capable of hybridizingto a target nucleic acid. A detectable label or reporter molecule can beattached to a probe. Typical labels include radioactive isotopes, enzymesubstrates, co-factors, ligands, chemiluminescent or fluorescent agents,haptens, and enzymes.

Methods for labeling and guidance in the choice of labels appropriatefor various purposes are discussed, for example, in Sambrook et al.,Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryPress (1989) and Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology,Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley-Intersciences (1987).

Probes are generally at least 5 nucleotides in length, such as at least10, at least 20, at least 21, at least 22, at least 23, at least 24, atleast 25, at least 26, at least 27, at least 28, at least 29, at least30, at least 31, at least 32, at least 33, at least 34, at least 35, atleast 36, at least 37, at least 38, at least 39, at least 40, at least41, at least 42, at least 43, at least 44, at least 45, at least 46, atleast 47, at least 48, at least 49, at least 50 at least 51, at least52, at least 53, at least 54, at least 55, at least 56, at least 57, atleast 58, at least 59, at least 60, or more contiguous nucleotidescomplementary to the target nucleic acid molecule, such as 50-60nucleotides, 20-50 nucleotides, 20-40 nucleotides, 20-30 nucleotides orgreater.

Polymerizing agent: A compound capable of reacting monomer molecules(such as nucleotides) together in a chemical reaction to form linearchains or a three-dimensional network of polymer chains. A particularexample of a polymerizing agent is polymerase, an enzyme which catalyzesthe 5′ to 3′ elongation of a primer strand complementary to a nucleicacid template. Examples of polymerases that can be used to amplify anucleic acid molecule include, but are not limited to the E. coli DNApolymerase I, specifically the Klenow fragment which has 3′ to 5′exonuclease activity, Taq polymerase, reverse transcriptase (such asHIV-1 RT), E. coli RNA polymerase, and wheat germ RNA polymerase II.

The choice of polymerase is dependent on the nucleic acid to beamplified. If the template is a single-stranded DNA molecule, aDNA-directed DNA or RNA polymerase can be used; if the template is asingle-stranded RNA molecule, then a reverse transcriptase (such as anRNA-directed DNA polymerase) can be used.

Sample: A sample, such as a biological sample, that includes biologicalmaterials (such as nucleic acid and proteins, for example RNA) obtainedfrom an organism or a part thereof, such as a plant, animal, bacteria,and the like. In particular embodiments, the biological sample isobtained from an animal subject, such as a human subject. A biologicalsample is any solid or fluid sample obtained from, excreted by orsecreted by any living organism, including without limitation, singlecelled organisms, such as bacteria, yeast, protozoans, and amebas amongothers, multicellular organisms (such as plants or animals, includingsamples from a healthy or apparently healthy human subject or a humanpatient affected by a condition or disease to be diagnosed orinvestigated, such as cancer). For example, a biological sample can be abiological fluid obtained from, for example, blood, plasma, serum,urine, bile, ascites, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, aqueous or vitreoushumor, or any bodily secretion, a transudate, an exudate (for example,fluid obtained from an abscess or any other site of infection orinflammation), or fluid obtained from a joint (for example, a normaljoint or a joint affected by disease, such as a rheumatoid arthritis,osteoarthritis, gout or septic arthritis). A sample can also be a sampleobtained from any organ or tissue (including a biopsy or autopsyspecimen, such as a tumor biopsy) or can include a cell (whether aprimary cell or cultured cell) or medium conditioned by any cell, tissueor organ.

Specific Binding Agent: An agent that binds substantially orpreferentially only to a defined target such as a protein, enzyme,polysaccharide, oligonucleotide, DNA, RNA, or a small molecule. In anexample, a “capture moiety specific binding agent” is capable of bindingto a capture moiety that is covalently linked to a DNA molecule.

A nucleic acid-specific binding agent binds substantially only to thedefined nucleic acid, such as RNA, DNA or a RNA-DNA hybrid, or to aspecific region within the nucleic acid.

Tissue: A plurality of functionally related cells. A tissue can be asuspension, a semi-solid, or solid. Tissue includes cells collected froma subject such as blood, cervix, uterus, lymph nodes, breast, skin, andother organs.

Under conditions that permit binding: A phrase used to describe anyenvironment that permits the desired activity, for example conditionsunder which two or more molecules, such as nucleic acid molecules and/orprotein molecules, can bind.

Suitable methods and materials for the practice or testing of thisdisclosure are described below. Such methods and materials areillustrative only and are not intended to be limiting. Other methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used.For example, conventional methods well known in the art to which thisdisclosure pertains are described in various general and more specificreferences, including, for example, Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning:A Laboratory Manual, 2d ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989;Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 3d ed., ColdSpring Harbor Press, 2001; Ausubel et al., Current Protocols inMolecular Biology, Greene Publishing Associates, 1992 (and Supplementsto 2000); Ausubel et al., Short Protocols in Molecular Biology: ACompendium of Methods from Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, 4thed., Wiley & Sons, 1999; Harlow and Lane, Antibodies: A LaboratoryManual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1990; and Harlow and Lane,Using Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryPress, 1999. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples areillustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

II. Overview

Disclosed herein is a novel method of identifying the sequence of a setof RNAs in a multiplex setting. FIG. 1 depicts a non-limiting example ofthe disclosed methods. As shown in FIG. 1, in the first step of thedisclosed method, RNA is labeled (or barcoded) by attachment, such asligation, of a 3′ adaptor, which is typically coded to the source of theRNA, for example the specific sample. Optionally, one can performoligo-based RNA depletion, such as depletion of rRNA, to remove RNA,which may interfere with the method or analysis. Once barcoded,individual samples of RNA can be pooled. The number of samples that canbe pooled is only limited by the complexity of the barcodes, which isdictated by length, for example as the length of the barcode isincreased by one nucleotide, the complexity of the barcode, or number ofbarcodes available is increased by 4. In the next step of the method,reverse transcription/first strand cDNA synthesis is performed with anadaptor-specific primer that specifically binds the 3′ adaptor that hasbeen attached to the RNA. During the reverse transcription/first strandcDNA synthesis information about the sequence of the RNA and the barcodeis imprinted in the resulting ssDNA, thus locking in this information.The next step in the method is preparation of cDNA for enrichment. Thereare several ways that this can be accomplished. In one example, a secondadapter ligation (ssDNA/ssDNA) by 3′ linker ligation is performed. Theadapter can be universal or can be barcoded, for example to increase thedepth of multiplexing. In another example, 2^(nd) strand synthesis canbe performed, for example to make a double stranded cDNA (ds cDNA). Thenow ds cDNA can then be end repaired, and in some examples dsDNA adapterligated. In another example, the cDNA can be treated with a terminaltransferase followed by isothermal amplification. The resulting DNA canbe amplified, for example by PCR prior to sequence analysis. Thisenrichment effectively increases the signal of the sequencing.

With reference to FIG. 2, as discussed above, in the first step of thedisclosed method, there is a first ligation with a 3′ adapter to labelthe RNA with a sequence label (barcode) that can be indexed to theorigin or source of the sample. The adaptor can be RNA or DNA withpreferably a 2 to 10 nucleotide barcode on the adaptor (or longer) withany modification (e.g., adenylation) which is compatible with a ligationreaction. In some embodiments, different adaptors with differentbarcodes are added to a single sample, such as a single well. Forexample, instead of adding a single unique barcode per sample, about 2to about 10, such as 2, 3, 4 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more, differentadapters each containing a unique barcode sequence are added to eachsample. It has been found that adding set of barcodes, such as betweenabout 2-4 different adapters, each containing unique barcode sequence,increases ligation efficiency and experimental uniformity. In each set,each barcode is unique, and in all sets all barcode sequences are uniquebetween each other.

By way of example, if one considers samples in a 96 well plate (otherlarger or smaller formats are contemplated as well), one sample in onewell would have 1 barcode (or a set of a few-to-several unique barcodes)and a second sample in a well would have a second barcode (or a secondset of a few-to-several different unique barcodes) and so on, such that96 samples would have 96 different barcodes (or 96 different uniquebarcodes sets) and 573 samples would have 573 different barcodes and thelike. The sequences of the barcodes (which could be referred to asindexing sequences) are designed so that there is no self-ligation orcross ligation among the barcode sequences. FIG. 3 represents 96 ligatedand barcoded different RNAs. The barcoded RNAs can then be pooled, asthe information about the origin or source of the RNA in the sample isnow set.

With reference to FIG. 4, in the next step, a reverse transcript of theRNA is generated using a primer specific to the adapter and a reviewtranscriptase, such as a RNAseH-minus reverse transcriptase. Thisgenerates a ssDNA that encodes the RNA as well as the information aboutorigin or source, in the form of the barcode. The primer and the RNA canbe removed, such that they do not interfere with subsequent steps of themethod and/or analysis. For example, the RT primer can be digested usingExoSAP, Exo I or any other ssDNA specific nuclease. The RNA can bedegraded from the RNA/cDNA hybrid using NaOH, RNAseH or any otherenzymatic or chemical method. In some examples, the resulting solutionis cleaned up using Silane beads with low ethanol concentrations toremove the majority of leftover primers.

The next step in the method is preparation of ssDNA for enrichment. Withreference to FIG. 5, in some embodiments of the disclosed method, asecond adapter ligation (ssDNA/ssDNA) by 3′ linker ligation isperformed. The adapter can be universal or can be barcoded. Theresultant nucleic acids can then be sequenced using any method of DNAsequencing available.

With reference to FIG. 6, PCR enrichment of the RNA-seq library isperformed. Any standard PCR polymerase can be used. For example Phusion®polymerase can be used under standard conditions. In some examples, theresultant PCR products are purified to remove primers, primer-dimers,short fragments, PCR polymerase, and nucleotides.

The 3′ labeled RNA can optionally be pooled. The 3′ end of singlestranded DNA can be labeled with a second nucleic acid adaptor thatcomprises a site for binding of a PCR primer. The second nucleic acidadaptor can be a sequencing adaptor. In addition, the second nucleicacid adaptor can differentiate between single stranded DNA from two ormore sources. Optionally, the sample can be depleted of non-target RNAby using one or more probes that specifically hybridize to thenon-target RNA and wherein one or more probes comprise a label thatfacilitates the removal of the probe from the sample. The labelincludes, but is not limited to, biotin. It is to be understood that thefirst or second nucleic acid adaptor can be blocked at the 3′end. Thefirst or second nucleic acid adaptor can be RNA, DNA or a RNA-DNAhybrid. The nucleic acid sequence that differentiates between the RNA orsingle stranded DNA from the two or more sources is preferably at leasttwo nucleotides in length. Optionally, the reverse transcription primersare removed or degraded. The samples of different origins can be samplesof the same cell type and/or tissue type that have been exposed todifferent environmental conditions, said conditions including, but notlimited to, contacts with different test agents. The target RNA can bemRNA and the differences in expression of the mRNA are measured acrosssamples from different sources. The disclosed invention furthercomprises quantifying the sequenced target RNAs of samples from multiplesources. The sequenced target RNAs can be sorted to their respectivesources.

The benefits of the disclosed method include reduced costs. In addition,the disclosed method is a very efficient method for sequencing RNAbiopsy material in paraffin-embedded blocks. The disclosed method isparticularly useful for crosslinked RNA samples from cells and tissues.The disclosed method has been used in testing hundreds of poly-Aselected samples, 5′-DGE, and 3′-DGE RNA samples. The disclosed methodhas been used in low complexity samples such as yeast or bacterialgenomes where a small number of reads with deep multiplexing isrequired. The disclosed method allows for sequencing of dozens tothousands of RNA samples simultaneously.

III. Description of Several Embodiments

Disclosed is a method for parallel sequencing target RNA from samples(such as multiple target RNAs from multiple, for example one or more,samples) from multiple sources while maintaining source identification.The disclosed methods use a unique coding system to maintain theinformation about where a sample came from, so that a user, for examplea laboratory worker, can keep track of the origin of a sample based onsequence information, such as that contained in a sequencing read of anucleic acid sequencing system. The disclosed method includes providingsamples of RNA, such as one or more, for example two or more samples ofRNA, comprising target RNA from two or more sources. It is contemplatedthat the sources can be the same source, for example the same organism,at the same or different time points, for example when some one islooking at differences in RNA expression as a function of time ortissue, amongst others. In the disclosed method, the RNA is labeled atthe 3′ end (such as through a ligation reaction) with a first nucleicacid adaptor that comprises a nucleic acid sequence that differentiatesbetween the RNA from the two or more sources. In other words, the RNA istagged with a unique sequence identifier on the 3′ end thatdistinguishes the RNA from one origin from an RNA of another origin,which in some examples can further include a site for binding of a PCRprimer and/or a sequencing adaptor. The adaptor can be RNA and/or DNAand is about 2 to about 10 nucleotides is length, although longer arecontemplated, for example the adaptor is about 2 to about 10 nucleotidesin length, such as about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7,about 8, about 9, or about 10 nucleotides in length, such as about 2 toabout 8, about 3 to about 10, about 5 to about 8 and the like. In someembodiments, the RNA is also labeled at the 5′ end (such as through aligation reaction) with a first 5′ nucleic acid adaptor that comprises anucleic acid sequence that differentiates between the RNA from the twoor more sources, which in some examples can further include a site forbinding of a PCR primer and/or a sequencing adaptor. The addition at the5′-end of RNA can occur before or after the addition at the 3′-end. Thelabeled RNA (5′ and/or 3′) is reverse transcribed to create a singlestranded DNA comprising the nucleic acid sequence that differentiatesbetween the RNA from the two or more sources. In some examples the RNAis treated to block addition to the 3′ end during the 5′ ligation. Insome embodiments, the single stranded RNA (such as the target RNA) canbe labeled at the 3′ end with a second nucleic acid adaptor thatcomprises a site for binding of a PCR primer. In some embodiments, thesingle stranded RNA (such as the target RNA) can be labeled at the 5′end with a second nucleic acid adaptor that comprises a site for bindingof a PCR primer.

The single stranded DNA is amplified to create DNA amplificationproducts that comprise the nucleic acid sequence that differentiatesbetween the RNA from the two or more sources and the DNA amplificationproducts are sequenced, thereby parallel sequencing target RNA fromsamples from multiple sources while maintaining source identification.

In some embodiments, the 3′ labeled RNAs are pooled. For example, oncethe information about the origin of the RNA is locked in by the additionof the 3′ label, the samples can be pooled and treated essentiallyidentically for the remainder of whatever test, trial, or experiment isbeing conducted, as the information about the origin of the RNA canalways be determined by the sequence. This gives the disclosedtechniques the power to be used in multiplexing reactions, where onewould want all the samples to be treated identically, which can be veryimportant for experiments that rely on the analysis of the relative orabsolute levels of RNA amongst multiple sources.

In some embodiments, the single stranded DNA can be labeled at the 3′end with a second nucleic acid adaptor that comprises a site for bindingof a PCR primer. In some embodiments, the single stranded DNA can belabeled at the 5′ end with a second nucleic acid adaptor that comprisesa site for binding of a PCR primer. In some examples the second nucleicacid comprises a sequencing adaptor. In some embodiments, the secondnucleic acid adaptor comprises a second nucleic acid sequence that candifferentiate between single stranded DNA from two or more sources. Inthis way, the information about the origin can be further multiplexed.By way of example, this can be used to create a nested hierarchy aboutthe origin of the RNA, for example, hierarchy by organism, tissue type,time point and so on, which allows all of the individual samples to bepooled and analyzed simultaneously. In some examples, the second nucleicacid adaptor comprises a site for binding of a PCR primer. In someembodiments, the single stranded DNA is pooled with single stranded DNAfrom one or more additional sources, wherein the single stranded DNAfrom one or more additional sources is similarly labeled.

In some embodiments, the samples are depleted of non-target RNA. By wayof example, in a cellular system, much of the RNA in a sample, such asin a lysed sample is comprised of rRNA, which may not be of interest foranalysis, and may complicate the analysis. Thus, it can be useful todeplete a sample of non-target RNA. It is to be understood that rRNAdepletion is very important for quality of sequencing data, becauserRNAs and regulatory RNAs are responsible for 95% to 98% of sequencingreads. Any RNA that does not need to be sequenced can be depleted,including ribosomal RNAs, tRNAs, regulatory RNAs and introns. The rRNAdepletion works by hybridizing RNA samples to probes antisense to theRNA to be depleted, where the antisense probes include a capture moietythat can be captured by a specific binding agent. In some examples,depleting the samples of non-target RNA comprises using one or moreprobes that specifically hybridize to the non-target RNA, wherein theone or more probes comprise a label that facilitates removal of theprobe from the sample. In some examples the one or more probes is aplurality of probes, wherein probes in the plurality are selected totile across the sequence of the non-target RNA. In some examples, thelabel comprises biotin. In some examples, the probes are biotinylatedantisense probes that deplete ribosomal RNAs (18 S, 28 S 5.8 S and 5 S)and regulatory RNAs, like snRNAs. The probe-RNA is later bound tostreptavidin beads to physically remove the target RNAs from thesolution. Due to the GC-rich sequence of 28 S, it is better to use notonly biotinylated UTP, but also biotinylated CTP.

In some embodiments, the reverse transcription primers are removedand/or degraded. In some embodiments, the RNA is removed and/or degradedafter first strand synthesis of ssDNA. In some examples, samples arecleaned using Silane beads to remove adaptors that did not ligate. TheRNA samples can be pooled in one of several pools during the clean upstep. Pools can later be coded separately, allowing even deepermultiplexing. The cleaning of samples can be performed using Silanebeads or other beads such as solid phase reversible immobilization(SPRI) beads. Using beads for the clean up allows for use of roboticsfor the entire process thereby reducing labor cost.

In some examples, the samples of different origins comprise samples ofthe same cell type and/or tissue type exposed to different environmentalconditions. In some examples the different environmental conditions arecontact with different test agents, for example to look at the effect ofsuch different conditions on the content of the RNA in the samples.

In some embodiments, the target RNA is mRNA, and differences inexpression of the mRNA are measured across samples from differentsources. In some embodiments, the sequenced target RNAs of samples frommultiple sources are quantified. In some embodiments, the sequencedtarget RNAs are sorted to their respective sources.

There are numerous applications for the disclosed methods. Anyapplication requiring high throughput sequencing of many eukaryotic orprokaryotic RNAs is particularly suited for the disclosed method. Theseinclude, but are not limited to, chemical screens of cell cultures todetermine drugs of interest. Another use for the disclosed method isRNA/DNA targeting screens such as siRNA/shRNA. The disclosed method canbe used for tissue, blood and other biological sample bank screening. Inaddition, the disclosed method can be used for screening RNA fromparaffin block cells or tissues. The disclosed method can be used formicrobiome screening. Also, the disclosed method can be used forantibiotic screening of microorganisms to determine antibioticresistance. Expression profile screening can be performed using thedisclosed method.

Appropriate samples for use in the methods disclosed herein include anyconventional biological sample obtained from an organism or a partthereof that includes RNA to be analyzed, such as a plant, animal,bacteria, and the like. In particular embodiments, the biological sampleis obtained from an animal subject, such as a human subject. Abiological sample is any solid or fluid sample obtained from, excretedby or secreted by any living organism, including without limitation,single celled organisms, such as bacteria, yeast, protozoans, and amebasamong others, multicellular organisms (such as plants or animals,including samples from a healthy or apparently healthy human subject ora human patient affected by a condition or disease to be diagnosed orinvestigated, such as cancer). For example, a biological sample can be abiological fluid obtained from, for example, blood, plasma, serum,urine, bile, ascites, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, aqueous or vitreoushumor, or any bodily secretion, a transudate, an exudate (for example,fluid obtained from an abscess or any other site of infection orinflammation), or fluid obtained from a joint (for example, a normaljoint or a joint affected by disease, such as a rheumatoid arthritis,osteoarthritis, gout or septic arthritis). A sample can also be obtainedfrom any organ or tissue (including a biopsy or autopsy specimen, suchas a tumor biopsy) or can include a cell (whether a primary cell orcultured cell) or medium conditioned by any cell, tissue or organ.Exemplary samples include, without limitation, cells, cell lysates,blood smears, cytocentrifuge preparations, cytology smears, bodilyfluids (e.g., blood, plasma, serum, saliva, sputum, urine,bronchoalveolar lavage, semen, etc.), tissue biopsies (e.g., tumorbiopsies), fine-needle aspirates, and/or tissue sections (e.g., cryostattissue sections and/or paraffin-embedded tissue sections). In otherexamples, the sample includes circulating tumor cells (which can beidentified by cell surface markers). In particular examples, samples areused directly (e.g., fresh or frozen), or can be manipulated prior touse, for example, by fixation (e.g., using formalin) and/or embedding inwax (such as formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples). Itwill appreciated that any method of obtaining tissue from a subject canbe utilized, and that the selection of the method used will depend uponvarious factors such as the type of tissue, age of the subject, orprocedures available to the practitioner. Standard techniques foracquisition of such samples are available. See, for example Schluger etal., J. Exp. Med. 176:1327-33 (1992); Bigby et al., Am. Rev. Respir.Dis. 133:515-18 (1986); Kovacs et al., NEJM 318:589-93 (1988); andOgnibene et al., Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 129:929-32 (1984).

Kits

A kit is provided for parallel sequencing target RNA from samples frommultiple sources while maintaining source identification of nucleic acidprobes and other reagents disclosed herein for use in the disclosedinvention. In such a kit, an appropriate amount of one or more of thenucleic acid adaptors is provided in one or more containers or held on asubstrate. A nucleic acid adaptor may be provided suspended in anaqueous solution or as a freeze-dried or lyophilized powder, forinstance. The container(s) can be any conventional container that iscapable of holding the supplied form, for instance, microfuge tubes,ampoules, or bottles. The kits can include either labeled or unlabelednucleic acid probes. The amount of nucleic acid probe supplied in thekit can be any appropriate amount, and may depend on the target marketto which the product is directed. The kit for parallel sequencing targetRNA from samples from multiple sources while maintaining sourceidentification comprises a first nucleic acid adaptor for labeling, atthe 3′ end, the RNA from the two or more sources that comprises anucleic acid sequence that differentiates between the RNA from the twoor more sources and a second nucleic acid adaptor for end labeling the3′ end of single stranded DNA, wherein the second nucleic acid adaptorcomprises a site for binding of a PCR primer.

The following examples are provided to illustrate certain particularfeatures and/or embodiments. These examples should not be construed tolimit the invention to the particular features or embodiments described.

EXAMPLES Example 1

The following protocol is used as a non-limiting example of the methodsdisclosed herein. While specific times and reagents are specified, it iscontemplated that different, albeit similar reagents, times, andtemperatures can be employed by those of ordinary skill in the art withminimal experimentation, given the guidance presented herein.

Multiplexing version: The first 9 nucleotides of the first read willcontain a barcode (reverse & complement), where the 9^(th) nucleotidewill always be the same for each barcode (A/T).

Each sample in the single pool has the same molarity. A Bravo robot or96-well pipettor could be used for 48-96 samples.

Use selected RNA or upto 250 ng of total RNA/sample.

Fragment and dephosphorylate RNA samples with FastAP and PNK.

Step A. First Ligation (RNA/RNA or RNA/DNA) 3′ Linker Ligation

Mix RNA+adapter+DMSO. Heat at 70° C. for 2 min→put on ice

Perform reaction as follows:

Ligation Mix 1 tube N tubes Dephosphorylated RNA, 5 ng 5.5 (6) μl 70 C.Barcoded adapter/linker, 100 pmoles 1 μl 2 min → ice DMSO (100%) 1 μlAdd master-mix 10× NEB ligase 1 Buffer 2 μl DMSO (100%) 0.8 μl ATP (100mM) (fresh from −80° C.) 0.2 μl PEG 8000 (50%) 8 μl RNase inhibitor 0.3μl T4 RNA Ligase 1, HiConc, 36 Units 1.2 μl Total 20 μl NOTE: use lessbarcoded adapter for small amounts of RNA.

T4 RNA Ligase 1, HiConc-custom NEB order, 30 U/μl

Mix well many times or pipette using low-retention tips. Incubate at 23°C. for 1 hour 30 minutes.

Step B. Silane barcoded adapter cleanup: Take 15 μl of Silanebeads/sample, rinse with RLT buffer, and remove all supernatant from thebeads. Bind ligation reaction with 3× volume of freshly added RLT and0.5×(RNA+RLT volume) EtOH. Mix well. Wash beads in 123 μl of 70% EtOHtwice off of magnet. Place on magnet and discard supernatant. Poolsamples during second 70% ethanol wash. You can pool 4-96 samples perpool. Let air-dry at room temperature for 3-10 minutes Elute in 100-200μl H₂O (no depletion protocol) or 25-90 μl H₂O (rRNA depletion protocol)and re-concentrate your sample with a Zymo column or Silane. Elute in 14μl H₂O (no depletion protocol, go to RT directly). Continue to Step C.NOTE: For a large number of samples, the Zymo RNA concentrator kit canbe used for the entire cleanup instead of Silane beads, which willreduce time and cost.

Step C (Optional). Perform oligo-based rRNA depletion after RNA-adapterligation when needed. Use 10×rRNA probes mix (18s+28s+5.8s+5s+otherregulatory RNAs) with your sample (500 ng of rRNA probe mix for 50 ng ofinput). Hybridize in large tubes. Heat Denature RNA+probes at 72° C. for2 minutes. Make a 50 μl reaction mix, consisting of:

RNA oligos mix (500 ng)  2 μl 2× Hyb Buffer (heated to 72 C.) 25 μlLigated RNA + Adapter (100 ng) 23 μl Total (scale up if needed) 50 μl

Bind at 70° C. for 40 min in ThermoMixer with shaking PrepareStreptavidin Beads after 30 minutes of incubation. Mix beads well, take12 μl of Streptavidin beads per pool (around 40 μU4 μg of used rRNAprobes.). Place beads on magnet, remove supernatant. Wash the beads in50 μl of Hybridization Buffer. Wash beads in 100 μl of solution A for 2min. Wash beads in 100 μl of solution B. Wash beads in 100 μl of 1×Hybridization Buffer. Repeat a few times. Resuspend beads in 10 μl of 1×Hybridization Buffer using in shaking ThermoMixer (70° C.).

Probe removal (Binding rRNA hybrids to beads): Add pre-warmedstreptavidin beads to hybridization reaction. Incubate at 68° C. for 15min on ThermoMixer. Quickly place on the magnet; quickly transfer ALLSupernatant (which contains rRNA depleted sample) to fresh tube.

Silane sample cleanup of rRNA depleted sample: Take 20 μl of Silanebeads/sample, add some RLT, remove all supernatant from the beads. Bindwith 3× volume of freshly added RLT and 1×(RNA+RLT volume) EtOH, mixwell. Wash beads in 123 ul of 70% EtOH twice off the magnet, Place onmagnet and discard supernatant. Let air-dry at RT for 3-10 minutes.Elute 14 μl H₂O

Estimate that the RT primer will be in at least 5× excess over theadapter leftovers. Table for estimation, real data:

EtOH % Adapter left 0.4x 1.7% 0.5x 2.5% 1.5x  25%

Step D. First Strand cDNA synthesis Take all 13.5 μl of RNA (eluted in14 μl of H₂O). Add 1 μl of AR2 RT primer (20 μM stock, 10-50 pmoles).Mix well. Heat the mixture to 70° C. for 2 min and immediately place onice. Add master-mix (on ice):

Affinity-Script RT Mix 1 Reaction 10× RT Buffer 2 μl 100 mMDTT 2 μl 25mM dNTP Mix 0.8 μl RNAse inhibitor 0.4 μl Affinity Script RT Enzyme 0.8μl Total 20 μl

Close stripes, shake in hands, spin 5 sec—put in HOT (55° C.) incubator.Incubate at 55° C. for 55 min.

Step E. RT primer removal after Reverse Transcription using ExoSAP-IT.Add 3 μl of ExoSAP-IT into 20 μl of RT reaction and incubate at 37° C.for 12 min.

Step F. RNA degradation after RT: Add 1 μl of 0.5M EDTA. Add 10% (2.4μl) of 1M NaOH. Incubate at 70° C. for 12 minutes. After this,neutralize with 4.8 μl of 0.5M Acetic Acid.

Step G. cDNA Silane cleanup. Use 12 μl of beads/sample, add some RLT tothe beads, remove all supernatant. Bind with 3× volume of fresh RLT(with beads) and 0.6× (RNA+RLT volume) EtOH, mix well. Wash beads in 123ul of 70% EtOH twice. Place on magnet and discard supernatant. Letair-dry at RT for 3-10 minutes. Add 5.5 μl of H₂O or low TE buffer tothe beads (Some water will evaporate) and keep the sample on the beads.

Step H. Second ligation (ssDNA/ssDNA) 3′ Linker Ligation on the beads

cDNA+adapter—heat at 75° C. for 2 min and put on ice (see below).Perform reaction as follows:

Ligation Mix tube cDNA 5 (5.5) 75 C. 3Tr3 adapter, 100 pmoles 1 2 min →ice Add master-mix 10× NEB ligase 1 Buffer 2 μl DMSO (100%) 0.8 μl ATP(100 mM) (from −80° C.) 0.2 μl PEG 8000 (50%) 10 μl T4 RNA Ligase 1,HiC, 45 Units 1.6 μl Total 20 μl

Mix well pipetting several times, using low-retention tips. Incubate at23° C. for 2-4 hours or overnight.

Step I. Ligated cDNA+adapter Silane Linker cleanup. Take extra 5 μl ofSilane beads/sample, rinse with RLT, remove supernatant. Bind with 3×volume of fresh RLT and 0.5×(RNA+RLT volume) EtOH, mix well. Wash beadsin 123 ul of 70% EtOH twice. Place on magnet and discard supernatant.Let air-dry at RT for 3-10 minutes. Elute in 27 μl H₂O.

Step J. PCR Enrichment. Make a mix consisting of:

PCR Mix for 1 Reaction (total of 50 μl): cDNA 23 μl Primer 1 (2P_univ,25 μM)  1 μl Primer 2 (2P_barcode, 25 μM)  1 μl Phusion or Q5 2×MasterMix 25 μl

Run using PCR program:

98° C. 30 Sec 98° C. 15 sec 67° C. 30-60 sec    4 cycles 72° C. 30-60sec 98° C. 12 sec 72° C. 1 min 6-10 cycles 72° C. 2 min

Use 8-10 cycles if you started from 10-100 ng of poly-A RNA (nodepletion protocol). Use more cycles if you used 50-100 ng of RNA anddepleted rRNAs or used 0.01-5 ng of poly-A RNA or RNA without depletion.

Step K. SPRI Library cleanup: Use 50 μl of SPRI beads/sample. Add SPRIbeads, mix well many times with slow pipetting. Allow to sit for 2-15min. Put on magnet, wait a few minutes. Remove supernatant. Wash beadstwice with 70% Ethanol. Dry beads for 2-5 minutes, elute in 21 μl ofH₂O. Load 1 μl on Bioanalyzer (Agilent) for library analysis andquantification.

Reagents List:

All additives (ATP, DTT, DMSO, dNTPs, etc.) must be stored in aliquotsat −80° C. Non-perishable buffers can be store in a −25° C. freezer.

10×T4 RNA Ligase Reaction Buffer: NEB catalog # B0216B-AS

T4 RNA ligase 1, 3× high concentration, 30U/μL, catalog # M0204B-AS

RNAse inhibitor, Murine (NEB)

ATP, 100 mM, Roche (Broad SQM) (keep in single-use aliquots at −80° C.)

PEG8000, 50% in H₂O, Sigma 83271-100ML-F

DMSO HYBRI-MAX, in vials endotoxin free, D2650, Sigma

RLT buffer—Qiagen

RT set:

10×RT Buffer from Agilent for AffinityScript

100 mM DTT from Agilent or Affimetrix

dNTPs (25 mM each) from NEB or Agilent

AffinityScript Multiple-Temperature Reverse Transriptase from Agilent(any RNAseH-minus RT)

RNAse inhibitor, Murine (NEB)

After RT treatments:

ExoSAP-it—Affymetrix

0.5M EDTA, NaOH, Acetic Acid—any ultra-clean.

Example 2 RNA Depletion Protocol

Step A. Oligo-based rRNA depletion after RNA+adapter ligation.

Make your anti-sense RNA probes using both bio-UTP and bio-CTP (1:5ratio for each=bio-UTP/UTP and bio-CTP/CTP).Probe generation mix: Total=50 μl: H₂O=22.4 μl, NEB T7 buffer=5 μlDNA=500-1000ng=10 μl

100 mM ATP=1 μl, 100 mM GTP=1 μl, 100 mM CTP=0.8 μl

100 mM UTP=0.8 μl, 10 mM bio-UTP=2 μl, 10 mM bio-CTP=2 μlRNAse inhibitor=1 μl, T7 enzyme mi×=4 μlIncubate 2-15 hours at 37 C. Add TurboDNAse, FastAP, clean withhigh-capacityRNA columns, like RNEasy (Qiagen).

Step B. Oligo-based rRNA depletion Hybridization. Use 10×rRNA probes mix(18s+28s+5.8s+5s+other regulatory RNAs=1×+2.35×+0.25×+0.2×+0.2×) withyour sample (500 ng of rRNA probe mix for 50 ng of input):

# ratio μg μl conc m18s 1.2 12 20 0.6 m28s₁ 2.9 29 66 0.44 28sL 0.3 3 60.5 5.8s 0.3 3 8 0.36 5s 0.2 2 3.3 0.6 45s 0.31 3 7.2 0.43 rRNA spacers0.31 3 7.4 0.42 U3B 0.21 2.1 4.5 0.47 U1B 0.1 1 1.7 0.59 U3A 0.1 1 2.20.45 U2 0.1 1 2.3 0.44 U5 0.05 0.5 2 0.24 H₂O = 173 60.7 130.6 200 ng/μL

Hybridize in large tubes. Heat Denature RNA+probes at 72° C. for 2 min.

RNA probe mix (500 ng)  2 μl 2× Hyb Buffer (heated to 72° C.) 25 μlLigated RNA + Adapter (100 ng) 23 μl Total 50 μl

Bind at 70° C. for 40 min in ThermoMixer with shaking PrepareStreptavidin Beads after 30 minutes of incubation. Mix beads well, take12 μl of Streptavidin beads per pool (around 40 μl/4 μg of used rRNAprobes.). Place beads on magnet, remove supernatant. Wash the beads in50 μl of 1× Hybridization Buffer. Wash beads in 100 μl of solution A for2 min. Wash beads in 100 μl of solution B. Wash beads in 100 μl of 1×Hybridization Buffer. Repeat a few times. Resuspend beads in 10 μl of 1×Hybridization Buffer using shaking ThermoMixer (70° C.).

Probe removal (Bind Hybrids to beads): Add all of hot (70° C.)Streptavidin Beads to hybridization reaction. Incubate at 68° C. for 15min on ThermoMixer. Quickly place on the magnet and quickly transfer ALLSupernatant (which contains rRNA depleted sample) to fresh tube.

Silane sample cleanup of rRNA depleted sample: Take 20 μl of Silanebeads/sample, add some RLT, remove all supernatant from the beads. Bindwith 3× volume of fresh RLT and 1×(RNA+RLT) volume of EtOH, mix well.Wash beads in 123 ul of 70% EtOH twice out of magnet, Place on magnetand discard supernatant. Let air-dry at RT for 3-10 minutes. Elutedepleted sample from beads using water

rRNA depletion hybridization buffer:

1× LiCl Lysis Buffer Final (M or %) Stock (M or %) 1× (mL) 20 mMTris-HCl (pH 7.5) 0.02 1M 0.2 5 mM EDTA 0.005 0.5M  0.1 500 mM LiCl 0.58M 0.625 0.25% Triton X-100 0.25% 10% 0.25 0.1% SDS 0.1 20% 0.05 0.1%Na-Deoxycholate 0 4 0 H₂O up to 10 ml total 10 ml

In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of ourinvention may be applied, it should be recognized that illustratedembodiments are only examples of the invention and should not beconsidered a limitation on the scope of the invention. Rather, the scopeof the invention is defined by the following claims. The disclosedmethod is defined by the following claims as our invention and all thatcomes within the scope and spirit of this disclosure.

1. A method for parallel sequencing target RNA from samples frommultiple sources while maintaining source identification, comprising:providing samples of RNA comprising target RNA from two or more sources;labeling, at the 3′ end, the RNA from the two or more sources with afirst nucleic acid adaptor that comprises a nucleic acid sequence thatdifferentiates between the RNA from the two or more sources; optionallypooling the 3′ labeled RNA; reverse transcribing the RNA from the two ormore sources to create a single stranded DNA comprising the nucleic acidsequence that differentiates between the RNA from the two or moresources; amplifying the single stranded DNA to create DNA amplificationproducts that comprise the nucleic acid sequence that differentiatesbetween the RNA from the two or more sources; sequencing the DNAamplification products; thereby parallel sequencing target RNA fromsamples from multiple sources while maintaining source identification.2. (canceled)
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising labeling, atthe 3′ end, the single stranded DNA with a second nucleic acid adaptorthat comprises a site for binding of a PCR primer wherein the secondnucleic acid adaptor optionally comprises a sequencing adaptor and/or asecond nucleic acid sequence that can differentiate between singlestranded DNA from two or more sources.
 4. (canceled)
 5. (canceled) 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the first nucleic acid adaptor comprisesa sequencing adaptor.
 7. (canceled)
 8. The method of claim 5, furthercomprising pooling the single stranded DNA with single stranded DNA fromone or more additional sources, wherein the single stranded DNA from oneor more additional sources is similarly labeled.
 9. The method of claim1, further comprising depleting the samples of non-target RNA.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, wherein depleting the samples of non-target RNAcomprises using one or more probes that specifically hybridize to thenon-target RNA, wherein the one or more probes comprise a label thatfacilitates removal of the probe from the sample.
 11. (canceled) 12.(canceled)
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first nucleic acidadaptor is 3′ end blocked and/or wherein the first nucleic acid adaptorcomprises RNA, DNA or a RNA-DNA hybrid.
 14. (canceled)
 15. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the second nucleic acid adaptor is 3′ end blockedand/or wherein the second nucleic acid adaptor comprises RNA, DNA or aRNA-DNA hybrid.
 16. (canceled)
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein thenucleic acid sequence that differentiates between the RNA from the twoor more sources is at least two nucleotides in length and/or wherein thenucleic acid sequence that differentiates between the single strandedDNA from the two or more sources is at least two nucleotides in length.18. (canceled)
 19. The method of claim 1, further comprising removingand/or degrading the reverse transcription primers and/or removingand/or degrading the RNA from the sample.
 20. (canceled)
 21. The methodof claim 1, wherein the samples of different origins comprise samples ofthe same cell type and/or tissue type exposed to different environmentalconditions.
 22. The method of claim 21, where the differentenvironmental conditions are contacts with different test agents. 23.The method of claim 1, where the target RNA is mRNA, and differences inexpression of the mRNA are measured across samples from differentsources.
 24. The method of claim 1, further comprising quantifying thesequenced target RNAs of samples from multiple sources.
 25. The methodof claim 1, comprising sorting the sequenced target RNAs to theirrespective sources.
 26. The method of claim 1, further comprisinglabeling, at the 5′ end, the RNA from the two or more sources with afirst nucleic acid adaptor that comprises a nucleic acid sequence thatdifferentiates between the RNA from the two or more sources.
 27. Themethod of claim 26, further comprising labeling, at the 5′ end, thesingle stranded DNA with a second nucleic acid adaptor that comprises asite for binding of a PCR primer and/or a sequencing adaptor. 28.(canceled)
 29. A kit for parallel sequencing target RNA from samplesfrom multiple sources while maintaining source identification,comprising: a first nucleic acid adaptor for labeling, at the 3′ end,the RNA from the two or more sources that comprises a nucleic acidsequence that differentiates between the RNA from the two or moresources and optionally wherein the first nucleic acid adaptor comprisesa sequencing adapter; and a second nucleic acid adaptor for end labelingthe 3′ end of single stranded DNA, wherein the second nucleic acidadaptor comprises a site for binding of a PCR primer.
 30. The kit ofclaim 29, wherein the second nucleic acid adaptor comprises a sequencingadapter and/or a second nucleic acid sequence that can differentiatebetween single stranded DNA from two or more sources and/or a site forbinding of a PCR primer.
 31. (canceled)
 32. (canceled)
 33. (canceled)34. The kit of claim 29, further comprising a first nucleic acid adaptorfor labeling, at the 5′ end, the RNA from the two or more sources thatcomprises a nucleic acid sequence that differentiates between the RNAfrom the two or more sources
 35. The kit of claim 34, further comprisinga second nucleic acid adaptor for end labeling the 5′ end of singlestranded DNA, wherein the second nucleic acid adaptor comprises a sitefor binding of a PCR primer and/or wherein the second nucleic acidadaptor comprises a sequencing adaptor.
 36. (canceled)
 37. The kit ofclaim 29, further comprising one or more probes that specificallyhybridize to non-target RNA, wherein the one or more probes comprise alabel that facilitates removal of the probe from the sample. 38.(canceled)
 39. (canceled)
 40. The kit of claim 29, wherein the firstnucleic acid adaptor is 3′ end blocked and/or wherein the first nucleicacid adaptor comprises RNA, DNA or a RNA-DNA hybrid.
 41. (canceled) 42.The kit of claim 29, wherein the second nucleic acid adapter is 3′ endblocked and/or wherein the second nucleic acid adapter comprises RNA,DNA or a RNA-DNA hybrid.
 43. (canceled)
 44. The kit of claim 29, whereinthe nucleic acid sequence that differentiates between the RNA from thetwo or more sources is at least two nucleotides in length and/or whereinthe nucleic acid sequence that differentiates between the singlestranded DNA from the two or more sources is at least two nucleotides inlength.
 45. (canceled)